10 IDW Spin-Off Comics Of Big Franchises That Fans Should Check Out

IDW Publishing has produced a huge array of original titles, but they have also formed various partnerships with well-known properties. Trusted with some of the biggest names in entertainment, the comic book company has actually produced spin-off titles for huge franchises.

Whether it’s their recent alliance with The Walt Disney Company and some of their IP, or perhaps as a platform for classic comic book series to gain new life, IDW has taken several fan-favorite series and brought them into a completely different medium. There’s no doubt that a number of other companies are likely looking to IDW for their next graphic novel adaptation.

10 Honorable Mention: Disney (2015-)

The Walt Disney Company has always looked for other mediums to tell their stories and in 2015 they began their partnership with IDW to produce a whole range of spin-off comics based on some of their most popular film and TV series. Most notably, their animated worlds came to life on the page in a way they may never have done at Marvel Comics.

Notable titles include DuckTales which has run since 2017 till the present and is within the same continuity as the modern animated show, Tangled which made its debut in 2018 and continues the adventures of Rapunzel and her friends, as well as multiple issues based on Mickey Mouse!

9 Stranger Things And Dungeons And Dragons (2020)

Although Dark Horse Comics has produced many notable comic book titles based around Netflix’s Stranger Things, the publishing house teamed up with IDW in order to create a unique line that actually utilized some of the well-known themes of the show.

Fans are surely expecting more Dungeons And Dragons content in Season 4 of the show as it’s an integral part of the lives of these teenagers. The comics books series capitalized on this, with a crossover event written by Jody Houser and, Jim Zub with illustrations from Stefano Martino that saw the gang on one of their mystical adventures.

8 Rick And Morty Vs. Dungeons And Dragons (2018-2019)

Speaking of Dungeons And Dragons spin-offs IDW Publishing has made great use of the license afforded to them through a range of other crossovers. One notable one included the Adult Swim characters from Rick And Morty, the meta, sci-fi show of immense popularity.

With writing from Jim Zub once more, alongside Patrick Rothfuss, as well as art from Troy Little, the mini-series sees Rick trying to teach his grandson how to play the titular game as chaos begins to descend around them. Their quest is as dangerous as it is quirky, with IDW pulling on a range of brilliant aspects of each property; from the high concept adventures to the qualities that make the tabletop game so unique.

7 Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures (2021-)

The High Republic is the latest publishing initiative from Lucasfilm in the Star Wars universe and Disney has once again looked outside of the company in order to bring some of their nuanced characters to life. IDW already boasts a few series set in the galaxy far far away but The High Republic Adventures is perhaps amongst their best.

Aimed at a younger audience, the title is a part of the main canon timeline and follows a group of young Jedi impacted by the disastrous events of The High Republic era, as they try to learn the ways of the Force from Jedi Master Yoda. The series is written by Daniel José Older and has featured art from Harvey Tolibao, Pow Rodrix, Manuel Bracchi, and Toni Bruno.

6 Sonic The Hedgehog (2018-)

Sonic The Hedgehog is a fantastic retro SEGA franchise that’s slowly being introduced to a new generation thanks to the updated Switch titles, live-action movies, and animated shows. IDW has also been producing a comic book series that aims to expand the universe further.

The long-running series has put Sonic in the lead role but has made sure to create an ensemble narrative that has not only introduced original characters but also featured classic faces audiences will be familiar with. Notable writers include Evan Stanley and Ian Flynn while the artist team has used the talents of Adam Bryce Thomas and Priscilla Tramontano.

5 Glow (2019)

Glow might have been canceled before its fourth season, but previous to this the Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling had set Netflix alight with their moving and immersive sports-inspired series about a group of women learning the craft of WWE, WCW, AEW, and the like.

The professional wrestling saga was given an extra medium to tell its story when Netflix approached IDW ahead of its third season. The mini-series and one-shot were overseen by the creatives behind the on-screen hit and boasted the writing of Tini Howard and the art of Hannah Templer. It’s a brilliant analysis of their time in LA as the comic hones in on the relationships and conflicts of the group both in and out of the ring.

4 G.I. Joe (2008-2018)

Fans will know that G.I. Joe was largely popularized thanks in large part to the original comic book run at Marvel. They helped secure the sale of toys and the animated show, but in the modern-day IDW has picked up the reigns and demonstrated they have what it takes to help the Hasbro line succeed once more.

Although the company still produces G.I. Joe titles, the decade-long run from 2008 to 2018 featured the main continuity IDW is well known for. Powerful villains made their debut alongside noble heroes, as the creative team grappled with what made this political narrative relevant to today’s audience. With themes of war and national security meshed with high sci-fi, the huge array of artists and writers created a compelling read.

3 Dungeons And Dragons (2010-)

Although the license has previously been mentioned the main Dungeons And Dragons run from IDW Publishing also shouldn’t be ignored. With a main line hosting a variety of arcs, the series not only utilized a huge range of talent but also drew from every corner of the fictional landscape.

The series kicked off with Fell’s Five but has since inspired spin-offs of its own including Dark Sun and At The Spine Of The World. The ongoing title and spin-offs have done a great deal to flesh out the fictional universe even introducing its own protagonists and vile foes that players could bring into their own quests.

2 Transformers (2019-)

IDW Publishing has also had the privilege of curating a Transformers line that they clearly have a lot of creative control over. With many spin-offs and an original ongoing series to enjoy, the most modern take is the title that has run since 2019 and features the current continuity.

While there have been some fantastic Transformers stories put to the page, the rebooted continuity allows IDW to really go in any direction. With too many writers and artists to name lending their creative abilities, the series puts the focus on newer characters while maintaining a relationship with classics like Bumblebee, as it explores the impact of the destruction of Cybertron and the civil war that arises amongst its people.

1 Star Trek: Boldy Go (2016-2018)

Star Trek is an ever-expanding universe with a complex continuity. IDW has produced plenty of comics within the brand, but they also were allowed to play within the landscape set out in the modern, live-action, cinematic spectacles. This alternative timeline lends itself to large-scale storytelling.

Boldy Go continues the adventures in this completely different reality, with writers Mike Johnson and Ryan Parrott working on the 18 issues alongside artists Tony Shasteen, Chris Mooneyham, and Megan Levens. It attempts to continue the lives of these on-screen protagonists as they discover new planets and species, finally boldly going where no one has before them.

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